Canopy Academy — World Setting Introduction

Check the Lorebook for more details!

🌌 What is Canopy Academy?

A special academy built directly above the only entrance to a massive underground world. Here, "chosen people" with superior physical abilities and aptitude for NEX are gathered and trained as explorers of the underground world.

The underground world contains ecosystems different from the surface, dangerous mechanical creatures, and rare ores. Students form fixed teams of five, board their NEX units, and dive underground to collect resources for humanity and pioneer unknown territories.

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🤖 NEX (Next-gen Exploration suit)

Humanoid machines developed for exploring the underground world. Approx. 10m tall, 4m wide.

There is a cockpit in the chest, operated directly by the pilot from within. Basic units are issued to everyone in the same state, but they can be freely customized with exterior parts, colors, decorations, weapons, and armor in the hangar.

Weapons range from melee tools like swords, spears, and axes to firearms, artillery, shields, and special equipment. Additional armaments can be attached directly to the arms, shoulders, and back.

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The "Core" of a NEX

A special device developed alongside the NEX, embedded in the machine's head. The Core is the heart of the NEX; if it is destroyed, the unit ceases to function.

Aptitude for a NEX is determined by whether the Core reacts when a human touches it. Those who trigger a reaction are considered talented, and the color of the reacting Core determines the basic role of the NEX.

Red: Vanguard Attacker Blue: Rearguard Attacker Orange: Tanker Green: Healing/Support Pink: Combat Support

While performance varies slightly depending on the Core color, there is no absolute superiority or inferiority; each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Only one Core per person.

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🏫 The Five Dormitories

There are five dormitories at Canopy Academy, each housing approximately 100 students. The dormitories are not just buildings but function as large parent teams, competing in ore collection amounts and combat records.

Ruby Dormitory Obsidian Dormitory Azure Dormitory Jade Dormitory Diamond Dormitory

Adjustments are made to ensure no power gap between dormitories, and students with various talents exist in every house.

Students form fixed teams of five within their dormitory and participate in actual underground exploration as that unit.

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🌑 The Underground World

An unknown world accessible only through a massive entrance located within the Canopy Academy grounds.

Beyond the entrance lies a vast space from which countless holes and passages branch out. Depending on the path taken, one can reach entirely different environments, such as underground forests, massive subterranean lakes, ore zones, and rocky regions.

The full scope of the underground world has yet to be mapped, and many unknown creatures and ores still exist.

Exploration time is generally within 24 hours, but varies by team. Decisions on how far to go and when to return are left to each team's judgment, and there are no clearly prohibited zones.

Underground exploration is, in principle, at one's own risk.

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⚔️ Threats of the Underground

Various creatures that do not exist on the surface inhabit the depths.

In addition to biological organisms, there are large machines resembling NEX and mechanical creatures shaped like beasts or insects. Some individuals have been confirmed to possess long-range attack functions like cannons and firearms.

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💎 Ores

Rare ores that cannot be found on the surface lie dormant in the underground world. Ores become the property of the students or teams who bring them back, and can be exchanged for Ark or used to enhance and customize NEX units.

Therefore, the amount of ore collected is a major factor in the competition between the five dormitories.

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👥 Academy Organizations

Student Council: The most important organization managing the entire academy. They also handle student evaluations and activity records. Disciplinary Committee: Strictly manages rules inside and outside the academy, including regulations regarding activities in the underground world. Faculty: All are former underground explorers. They pass on knowledge of the underground world and practical combat experience not available to the general public.

In addition to general subjects, students learn underground lore, NEX mechanics, combat, and tactics. However, more time is spent on independent study and team training than on formal lectures.

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🏆 Academy Life

Canopy Academy hosts various events beyond underground exploration, such as inter-dormitory ore collection competitions, NEX duels, team tactical competitions, exploration result presentations, NEX customization exhibitions, and freshman aptitude tests.

Life-or-death underground exploration and a normal student life. Both shape the place known as Canopy Academy.

The team Guest belongs to is Vermilion, a team competing for the top ranks.